Mecum Auctions has announced they will be selling a collection of three serial number one Corvettes at June’s Bloomington Gold High Performance Auction in St. Charles, Illinois. The Collection of early C1 Corvettes includes VINs 0001 from 1955, 1956 and 1957. It’s a rare sale when any serial number one Corvette is sold, but a collection of three in sequential model years is simply unheard of. The auction for this troika of 0001’s is sure to the highlight of the High Performance Auction held June 27-28th.

The 1955 Corvette is the last of the early C1 body style and the first to offer a high performance 265 ci 195 hp V8 engine. In 1956, Corvette received its first redesign with the cove body style that has become one of the most famous designs in American automotive history. Finally, 1957 Corvettes marked the last year for the single headlights and are known for their performance.

The collection was amassed in Rockford, Illinois in the late 1970’s by Tom Harmer, a collector who recognized the significance of owning serial number one Corvettes. In the early 1980’s the collection was sold to Gene Morton who moved them to Alaska where they were stored and protected. The three Corvettes resurfaced in Prescott, Arizona around the year 2000 where they were purchased by renowned collectors Al Wiseman and George Swartz.

Al Wiseman is well known for his restoration work, having restored and sold several 1953 Corvettes over the last few years. Back in December, Al auctioned his collection of serial number #39 Corvettes which included a 1953 Corvette and its 2003 50th anniversary counterpart. A commemorative 1953 Corvette pedal car rounded out the collection.

Dana Mecum, President and Founder of Mecum Auctions said “This is the only collection of three sequential serial one Corvettes known to exist in the world. Al and George have restored these three Corvettes to the highest Bloomington Gold standards and to the magnificent state they are in today.”

The cars have never been entered or shown at the Bloomington Gold Corvette show or any other event since restoration. The three sequential serial number one Corvettes will be offered for sale as a collection.

1 COMMENT

These cars were NOT restored by either Al Wiseman OR George Swartz. They were, indeed, owned by the two men but the restoration work was by Irvin Patrick or C & I Restoration; Thealka, Kentucky. I personally saw them in his shop.